Texas photographer captures faithful dog's last day

Edwin Delgad, Express News

By Edwin Delgado, San Antonio Express News

Updated 11:23 am, Thursday, July 17, 2014

A Texas photographer chronicled the last day of her friend's pet, in a post on a blog called "I Died Today. By Duke Roberts." Duke had hamburgers and a party on his last day on earth.
Photo: Courtesy Of Robyn Arouty / Robynarouty.com

SAN ANTONIO -- It's always tough having to say goodbye to a loved one, but a Texas photographer's split-second decision to chronicle the last day of her friend's dog broke down the Internet, literally, with condolences from thousands.

Within days after posting the story about a black Labrador named Duke on her website, Houston photographer Robin Arouty, had more than 100,000 visits, the story was shared thousands of times from both her blog and her Facebook page. Even her website had malfunctions because of the high traffic.

Last week the Roberts family had to say farewell to Duke, their loyal black Labrador who was diagnosed with bone cancer a few years back had to be euthanized by her owner, Jordan Roberts, a close friend of Arouty.

"When I walked in & saw the hamburgers on the counter I knew some special things were about to happen, I just felt it," Arouty poseted in her blog. "Funny, Jordan told me yesterday 'I don't even remember you taking pics. All I remember is you holding my hand.' "

According to a report on KLTV-TV, Duke had one of his legs removed and later on was diagnosed with hemngiosarcoma. With no options left, Roberts had to put her dog to sleep.

"We struggled with the decision to let Dukey go, but ultimately did everything in our power to protect him from further pain," said Jordan told KLTV. "With the help from our friends, Dukey had a beautiful day filled with love and happiness. We should all be so lucky."

The Roberts family decided to invite Arouty, who is a photographer, animal rescuer and advocate based in Houston, to be there for moral support.

Many people passed on words of support for the Roberts family for their loss on Arouty's website.

"What a wonderful heartwarming & heartbreaking story our thoughts are with all who knew and loved Dukey he was a hero in the dog world despite his pain he never lost his ability to LOVE as you all loved him our thoughts are with you," Tony Simms posted.

From eating hamburgers, being with the Roberts family, take a walk and play in the water, Duke spent a special last day with his family and came to and end as he was put to sleep at the park.

"What a blessed life he had with a family that adored him," Candace Hill posted on the blog. "I hope that his family will open their hearts again to another rescue when the time is right."